But the former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end was focused more on what they had in common with him: the potential for great accomplishments if they focus on their goals and never give up.

“Inside of you is someone special, someone unique, someone excellent, and life is all about discovering that person, that uniqueness,” Johnson told the crowd of about 300 students at the Allentown school.

Johnson, 67, spent eight seasons from 1971 to 1978 with Cincinnati, and now travels across the country sharing his story as a motivational speaker for young people.

That story includes some of his greatest mistakes as well as his achievements, and along with his message of perseverance was a warning to avoid the pitfalls of drugs, alcohol, guns, gangs and bullying.

As the students sat on the gymnasium floor of the 750 St. John St. school, Johnson recalled he was forced to repeat the fifth grade, and in seventh and eighth grades was cut from basketball and benched all season in football.

“If I had given up in seventh and eighth grade, I never would have discovered my greatness,” Johnson said. “That’s why I want to tell you all: Don’t ever quit. If you keep trying, you’ll find the greatness inside of you.”

Johnson, originally from Anderson, Ind., had aspired for an NBA career and played basketball at Indiana University. By that time, he hadn’t played football since his sophomore year in high school.

But famous Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight encouraged he try out for the Dallas Cowboys. After an unlikely walk-on tryout, Johnson found himself with a career in the National Football League.

Johnson ended up with the Bengals after Dallas tried to make him an offensive lineman. In Cincinnati, he had far more success on the defensive end. He also made the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's silver
anniversary team of 1991 for his high school play, according toChris May, the hall's executive
director.

But Johnson stressed it wasn’t always easy. He said his basketball career was largely derailed by poor decisions in college, including drugs, alcohol and an “illicit lifestyle.”

“All it takes is one experience with drugs and alcohol and you can be robbed of your life, just like my sister’s life was robbed by a drunk driver,” he said.

Johnson’s sister-in-law died after a drunk driver struck her head-on while driving on the wrong side of a highway in Cincinnati.

Johnson also had his own near-death experience in the final year of his football career. His van was hit by a train and dragged more than 100 yards. But he suffered only minor injuries.

It was that experience, Johnson said, that led him to start sharing his life story with young people.

“One day, you’ll be in front of a crowd telling them your stories about how you didn’t quit,” he said. “How you made some wrong choices, but corrected them with right choices and became successful.”